Oh, my name it is Nell, and the truth for to tell
I come from Coothill, which I'll never deny
I had a fine drake, and I'd die for his sake
That me grandmother left me when she going to die
The dear little fellow, his legs they were yellow
He could fly like a swallow, or swim like a hake
‘Til some dirty savage, to grease his white cabbage
Most wantonly murdered me beautiful drake
Now his neck it was green, almost most fit to be seen
He was fit for a queen of the highest degree
His body was white, and it would you delight
He was plump, fat and heavy, and brisk as a bee
He was wholesome and sound, he would weigh 20 pound
And the universe ‘round I would roam for his sake
Bad luck to the robber, be he drunk or sober
That murdered Nell Flaherty's beautiful drake
May his spade never dig, may his sow never pig
May each hair on his wig be well thrashed with the flail
May his door never latch, may his roof have no thatch
May his turkeys not hatch, may the rats eat his meal
May every hold's ferry from Cork to Dún Laoghaire (dun larry)
Dip him snug and airy in river or lake
That the eel and the trout, may they dine on the snout
Of the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty's drake
May his pig never grunt, may his cat never hunt
May the ghosts ever haunt him in dead of the night
May his hens never lay, may his horse never neigh
May his coat fly away like an old paper kite
Let the flies and the fleas, may the wretch ever tease
May the piercing march breeze make him shiver and shake
May a lump on the stick raise the bumps fast and quick
Of the monster that murdered Nell Flaherty's drake
Well the only good news that I have to infuse
Is that old Paddy Hughs and young Anthony Blake
Also Johnny Dwyer, and Cornier Maguire
They each have a grandson of my darling drake
May treasure have dozens of nephews and cousins
And one i must get or me heart, it will break
For to set my mind easy, or else I'll run crazy
And so ends the song of Nell Flaherty's drake